The radiant life of Mrs. Minjiba Felicia Ateli (née Karibo Ikiriko) came to a peaceful close on April 19, 2025, at the age of 88. A beacon of knowledge, culture, faith, and compassion, Mrs. Ateli leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that touched countless lives across Nigeria and beyond.
Born on November 13, 1936, to Mark Karibo Ikiriko, a King’s College alumnus and pharmacist, and Ere Karibo (née Korubo), she was an only child who grew to become a voice of excellence and purpose. A proud alumna of Queen’s College, Lagos, her academic journey took her from Nigeria to the UK and Canada, earning her prestigious accolades and pioneering achievements—including being the first indigenous professional librarian of the Eastern Region of Nigeria, and the second female Kalabari graduate.
On June 17, 2025, family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers gathered at Christ Church, Forces Avenue, Old G.R.A, Port Harcourt, to honor her memory and legacy. The funeral service began with solemn hymns, scripture readings, and prayers. The presiding minister, Very Rev. David Ama Kalu, admonished the children and all present to live Christlike lives, marked by the same humility, wisdom, and faith that defined Mrs. Ateli’s journey. “Live a life that you will be remembered for,” he charged.
Her daughter, Mrs. Ameidiki Emmanuel Georgewill, delivered a moving tribute, describing her mother as “an amazing, extraordinary, and fantastic woman”—a loving educator, poet, and mother who, though an only child herself, became a best friend and lifelong guide to her children.
The service was enriched by heartfelt tributes and musical renditions from the Christ Church Choir, the Ladific Ladies Group, and the Queen’s College Old Girls Association (QCOGA). Mrs. Leticia Ogali, representing the Ladific group, praised the late Mrs. Ateli as a woman of great societal standing—respected for her jovial spirit, her grace, and her insistence on correct spoken English, a reflection of her professional poise.
Following the church service, a vibrant burial reception was held at the Aztech Arcum in Port Harcourt. The atmosphere was one of celebration, marked by cultural dances, soulful music, and sumptuous meals. The event brought together dignitaries, family friends, and community members from across Rivers State and beyond, including the Port Harcourt City One Love Group, led by their Spiritual Leader, Amb. Idaere Gogo Ogan
A Life of Firsts, a Legacy That Lasts.
Mrs. Ateli was not only a scholar and librarian of distinction but a literary voice whose talents were recognized from a young age. She won First Prize in the 1951 Nigerian Festival of Arts Short Story Competition, and in 1955, the New York Herald Tribune Essay Competition for “The World We Want.” This led to her meeting President Dwight D. Eisenhower and participating in international youth forums in the United States. Her story was recently featured in the 2024 book “The World We Want” by Professor Catherine Bishop, launched in Sydney, London, and New York.
She was the recipient of a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship, Chairlady of the Nigerian Library Association (Rivers State), Council Member of the National Universities Commission, and served on multiple boards and educational councils.
Devoted Wife, Loving Mother, Enduring Spirit.
In 1962, she married Frederick Sotonye Ateli (MFR), a respected civil servant and Permanent Secretary in the old Rivers State Government. Their union was blessed with five children—Karibo Ateli, Amiediki Emmanuel Georgewill, Boma Fiberesinma, Daso Ateli, and Amoni Spiff—and four in-laws who became her own: Emmanuel Georgewill, Gogo Fiberesima, Na-Te Spiff, and Esther Ateli.
Until her final days, Mrs. Ateli remained vibrant and active—singing in the Christ Church Choir, engaging with the Chief Wokoma Choral Voices, and participating in Ladific, a wellness group founded by the late Ambassador Mrs. Nne Korubo.
Her Song Lives On.
A mother, grandmother, scholar, educator, and cultural icon, Minjiba Felicia Ateli lived with grace, purpose, and faith. Her memory endures—not only in the accolades she earned, but in the hearts she touched, the values she instilled, and the stories she left behind.
